Tom Hanks has opened up about which actor he thinks is the best fit for the next James Bond, appearing to endorse Idris Elba for the role.
The actor, 66, claimed the star “should be” named as the next 007 in his new fictional book, The Making of Another Major Motion Picture Masterpiece.
The book, which is out now, features a passage between two characters, Wren Lane and Ike Clipper, who are discussing which actor they believe gave the best portrayal of the British spy.
Ike responds: “Roger Moore. His hair never mussed”, while Wren argues: “Idris Elba”. Ike replies to her: “He's not James Bond”, with Wren firing: “He should be”.'
Tom went one further in his endorsement of Idris, 50, for the titular role, believing him to be the perfect replacement for long-running Bond star, Daniel Craig.
He told BBC News: “James Bond has a license to kill. I would issue that license to Idris Elba just based on the work that I've seen him do.”
If you can't see the poll click here
The actor set to play the character hasn’t been confirmed yet, however, alongside Elba, Aaron Taylor Johnson, Regé-Jean Page, Tom Hardy and Henry Cavill have been touted to be in the frontrunning to take on the role.
However, Idris previously ruled himself out, citing his previous commitments to film and BBC series, Luther, in which he plays the main character.
Earlier this year, he spoke at the World Government Summit in Dubai about the forthcoming film sequel to Luther, he said: “It’s very dark. We’ve been working on the TV show for about 10 years and so the natural ambition is to take it to the big screen, and so we’re here with the first movie.
“You know, a lot of people talk about another character that begins with ‘J’ and ends with ‘B,’ but I’m not going to be that guy. I’m going to be John Luther. That’s who I am.”
He also confirmed to ITV London in 2021 that he wouldn't be starring as James Bond, stating: "No I'm not going to be James Bond", however, upon being asked if he would like to take on the role, he replied: "Who wouldn't?"
